more or less

adverb

1

: to a varying or undetermined extent or degree : somewhat

they were more or less willing to help

2

: with small variations : approximately

contains 16 acres more or less

Synonyms

• about
• all but
• almost
• borderline
• fair [chiefly British]
• fairly
• feckly [chiefly Scottish]
• most
• much
• near
• nearly
• next to
• nigh
• practically
• somewhere
• virtually
• well-nigh

Examples of more or less in a Sentence

the lot is 16 acres more or less

most couples in the survey said that they were more or less happy in their marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

That means the ingredients on their labels might contain more or less of the ingredients promised or other ingredients not listed, which can potentially cause harms such as liver toxicity. —Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025

Nor did having cancer render me any more or less judgmental. —Alessandra Hirsch, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2025

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Chiefs stand as 2-point favorites at home against the Bills — a margin that more or less accounts for Kansas City’s home-field advantage. —Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

This lightweight, natural retinol alternative more or less functions as a hydrating, leave-on exfoliant, increasing cell turnover and reducing dark spots and sun damage. —Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

more or less

adverb

1

: to a varying or uncertain degree : somewhat

they were more or less willing to help

2

: with small variations : approximately

contains 16 acres more or less